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HDR (HLG) channels looking washed out on Chromecast Google TV 4K

MrDouble

Newbie
Hey all,

I am using a Chromecast with Google TV 4K and a samsung TV, when I am watching live HDR content (that uses the HLG format) the colours look completely washed out. I am pretty sure this is not a provider issue as it has persisted across every provider I have used as well as official sources such as the live channels on the BBC iPlayer app. I have also seen other samsung TV's have this issue when playing back HLG format HDR content in the BBC iPlayer app on the TV itself. Does HLG just look washed out universally? HDR10 and HDR10+ content from real-debrid looks perfect.
 
Hey all,

I am using a Chromecast with Google TV 4K and a samsung TV, when I am watching live HDR content (that uses the HLG format) the colours look completely washed out. I am pretty sure this is not a provider issue as it has persisted across every provider I have used as well as official sources such as the live channels on the BBC iPlayer app. I have also seen other samsung TV's have this issue when playing back HLG format HDR content in the BBC iPlayer app on the TV itself. Does HLG just look washed out universally? HDR10 and HDR10+ content from real-debrid looks perfect.
Not sure which samsung TV you have but when HDR kicks in for the ones that appear washed put can you change picture mode to standard or then natural see what affect that has.
 
Not sure which samsung TV you have but when HDR kicks in for the ones that appear washed put can you change picture mode to standard or then natural see what affect that has.
It is a Samsung BU8500, an entry level UHD HDR set so not expecting the world, but comparing HLG to HDR10 content is night and day, HLG looks worse than SDR to be honest. I have tried playing with the picture mode a little but it doesn't make much of a difference, it does recognise that it is HLG though as it shows different options for different HDR modes, it also shows the little HDR icon in the info panel when HLG content is playing. I wonder if the low end samsung TV's just have really bad HLG support....
 
It is a Samsung BU8500, an entry level UHD HDR set so not expecting the world, but comparing HLG to HDR10 content is night and day, HLG looks worse than SDR to be honest. I have tried playing with the picture mode a little but it doesn't make much of a difference, it does recognise that it is HLG though as it shows different options for different HDR modes, it also shows the little HDR icon in the info panel when HLG content is playing. I wonder if the low end samsung TV's just have really bad HLG support....
Do you have BBC iPlayer on your TV? If so, try some HLG content on that to see if you are having the same issue.
 
Do you have BBC iPlayer on your TV? If so, try some HLG content on that to see if you are having the same issue.
I have never actually connected the TV itself to the internet as the ads on the samsung smart TV OS drive's me mental. I have watched a similar model of TV at work though, which was using the iPlayer app directly on the TV and that had the same issue.
 
I have never actually connected the TV itself to the internet as the ads on the samsung smart TV OS drive's me mental. I have watched a similar model of TV at work though, which was using the iPlayer app directly on the TV and that had the same issue.
Looks like HLG support is poorly implemented on certain models.
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/qe55q60tauxxu-hlg-hdr/td-p/3812030

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/qe55q60tauxxu-hlg-hdr/td-p/3812030

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/qe55q60tauxxu-hlg-hdr/td-p/3812030
 
Had a feeling it was going to be something like that, shocked I didn't find that thread while googling myself, cheers!

Good to know its just a samsung thing, will be more careful when its time to upgrade my TV 🤣
 
Had a feeling it was going to be something like that, shocked I didn't find that thread while googling myself, cheers!

Good to know its just a samsung thing, will be more careful when its time to upgrade my TV 🤣
Lol likely the older models ..no issues on my Samsung but it's QLED model so abt 2-3 years old ..only issue on these is HDR appears darker so changing picture mode resolves that issue.
 
Lol likely the older models ..no issues on my Samsung but it's QLED model so abt 2-3 years old ..only issue on these is HDR appears darker so changing picture mode resolves that issue.
Mine is a similar age but edge lit instead of QLED. Would have loved to go for a QLED or even OLED but was a bit out of my price range at the time. Will be saving up for a newer model with better HDR support!
 
Had a feeling it was going to be something like that, shocked I didn't find that thread while googling myself, cheers!

Good to know its just a samsung thing, will be more careful when its time to upgrade my TV 🤣
There were other instances on Reddit but didn’t want to bombard you lol.
All TVs have pros and cons.
The problem is you always find out after the fact.
 
It is a Samsung BU8500, an entry level UHD HDR set so not expecting the world, but comparing HLG to HDR10 content is night and day, HLG looks worse than SDR to be honest. I have tried playing with the picture mode a little but it doesn't make much of a difference, it does recognise that it is HLG though as it shows different options for different HDR modes, it also shows the little HDR icon in the info panel when HLG content is playing. I wonder if the low end samsung TV's just have really bad HLG support....
I have the Samsung UE55BU8500,the bbc tv iplayer app plays better than the fire stick 4kmax iplayer app but neither are outstanding.
 
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